Morne Morkel removed the last three West Indian batsmen to leave the Proteas chasing only 47, as South Africa won with seven wickets remaining.

South Africa inflicted a Test series loss on West Indies, winning by seven wickets to end the tour unbeaten. Shivnarines Chanderpaul’s innings had been the only one of substance amidst a lineup of capitulation, and it continued on the fourth day – the support found in Shane Shillingford was absent from the final three, all sent packing by Morkel.

Morkel attacked Sulieman Benn from round the wicket, moving the ball both ways and beating the bat regularly. In the 62nd over one nipped back in, making a mockery of Benn’s defence; knocking him. Kemar Roach followed shortly after, edging a drive to Mark Boucher after a series of short balls.

Chanderpaul had shown confidence in the tail, picking singles, but the plan proved foolish as his partners fell cheaply. The debutant Brandon Bess wafted one to second slip. It took Morkel only three overs to polish off the tail, leaving South Africa just 47 to chase.

Roach displayed plenty of aggression, nipping out three wickets – Graeme Smith (10), Alviro Peterson (6) and Hashim Amla (25), the later falling four runs short of closing out the match. Roach followed Morkel’s lead and peppered the batsmen with short balls – including a few well-directed bouncers.

But the game was long over, finishing in the ninth over. Though South Africa will take confidence from the series win, they were aided by a wayward West Indian outfit in all respects.